| The Kolkata Metro is an underground rail network in | | | | During this time, there was introduction of more |
| the city of Kolkata. This network has the status of | | | | magnetic gates and escalators. |
| zonal railway. This underground railway system was | | | | Features |
| started its operations in 1984. These railway lines run | | | | The construction of Metro is very complex and |
| from Dum-Dum in the North and extend to Kavi | | | | requires several applications of new technologies. |
| Nazrul in South through Park Street, Esplanade which | | | | Indian engineers adopted latest technologies by their |
| is situated in the centre of the city. | | | | personal experience and by their studies abroad. |
| Bidhan Chandra Roy, the Chief Minister of West | | | | Several methods which were: |
| Bengal, conceived the idea of building an Underground | | | | •Cut and cover method of building using the |
| Railway in 1949 for Kolkata city. The beginning of the | | | | diaphragm walls. |
| first metro car was on the lines by 1984. The first | | | | •The compressed air and airlocks were used for |
| section of this network opened between Esplanade | | | | Shield Tunneling. |
| & Bhowanipore. The metro cars were put down | | | | •There was the system of Air-conditioning and |
| on the track close to Esplanade by crane, by digging | | | | ventilation which was made for environmental control |
| the surface of the road. There were just ordinary | | | | of stations. |
| revolving gates at that time which served as exits. | | | | •There is also the facility of Underground |
| After 2 years of the beginning of the metros lines | | | | substations which have dry type transformers and |
| were extended up to Mahanayak Uttam Kumar | | | | circuit breakers. |
| which is at the southern end. After some time the | | | | •There are Micro-processor-based train control |
| Magnetic tickets and other entry gates were also | | | | systems for some of the substations. |
| introduced. The numbers of compartments were | | | | |
| increased to 8 in each train. | | | | •There is also a facility of Automatic ticket |
| The further construction of this project was | | | | vending system. |
| disturbed by many political incidents aftre the year | | | | Reservation for women |
| 1986. This work was restarted after 6 years later in | | | | Lately the Kolkata Metro Railway has come up with |
| the year 1994 services were started from Dum Dum | | | | the system of reserving complete compartments for |
| to Shyambazar. There were only 4 trains on this | | | | women. |
| route at that time. In the year 1995 services from | | | | This system has made commuting convenient for |
| Dum Dum to Mahanayak Uttam Kumar were started. | | | | most of the commuters. |